A new study by the University of Helsinki finds that EU forests are expanding and absorbing large amounts of carbon, with an average annual absorption of 126 teragrams between 1990 and 2005. The expansion of forests in certain countries, such as Finland and Lithuania, has even more than offset national emissions.
Astronomers at the University of Illinois have discovered a stellar cradle where planets and moons are believed to form. Located 800 light-years away in the constellation Cepheus, the object is an enormous flow of shocked molecular hydrogen gas erupting from a young protostar's magnetic poles.
Research from University College London found that some of our closest extinct relatives had more in common with gorillas than previously thought. The study discovered that males continued to grow well into adulthood, leading to a significant size difference between males and females, similar to what is seen in gorillas.
A Chikungunya virus outbreak in Italy emphasizes the need for preparedness and response to emerging infectious threats as globalisation increases. The disease was fairly mild in nearly all cases, with only one reported death.
A new heart test has been developed to detect mild degrees of heart injury, enabling doctors to identify patients most likely to benefit from life-saving treatments. The test, which searches for a specific protein in the blood, could lead to fewer unnecessary hospital admissions and improved diagnosis.
Researchers discovered that blood stem cells can travel to visceral organs to perform reconnaissance missions and produce new immune cells. These cells can synthesize defense mechanisms to counter invading pathogens, indicating a more dynamic role for hematopoietic stem cells.
Researchers identified two proteins, hnRNP-H1 and SAFB-2, as potential biomarkers for disease screening in African-American men. These proteins are involved in the growth of tumor cells and may play a role in hormone-related prostate cancer progression.
A recent paper suggests that reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) could be key to addressing climate change. By including REDD in the Kyoto Protocol, developing countries can claim compensation for sustainable forest management, potentially earning $630 million annually.
Carnegie Mellon's National Robotics Engineering Center has won a $14.4 million contract to develop an advanced, autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) for the US Army. The UGV will utilize lessons learned from the successful 'Crusher' platform and incorporate latest suspension, vehicle frame, and hybrid-electric drive technologies.
Patients using out-of-hours services report feeling uncertain about the appropriateness of their calls and concerns about slow case handling. Despite this, many are happy with the quality of service once they speak to a healthcare professional.
A team from the University of Illinois identified SgrS, a 200-nucleotide-long RNA molecule, which performs two functions to regulate glucose metabolism in bacteria. The molecule binds to messenger RNA to inhibit new glucose transporter production and codes for a protein that retards existing transporter activity.
Researchers have identified potential geothermal energy resources in the northern Basin and Range province, characterized by high thermal gradients and deep permeable pathways. The discovery uses helium isotope ratios to map zones of higher than average permeability, offering a new tool for identifying geothermal energy resources.
Researchers have found that double-strand DNA breaks occur more frequently in specific regions near telomeres and centromeres, increasing the likelihood of chromosome gene swapping. This discovery may lead to a better understanding of developmental chromosome abnormalities and birth defects.
Two studies show that increasing Quitline services and offering free nicotine patches significantly increase quit rates, with over 21% of smokers quitting after intensive counseling. The added cost is offset by increased effectiveness, making these services a cost-effective way to reduce smoking rates.
Research by University of Florida scientists found that using club drugs triggers a similar chemical chain reaction in the brain as a traumatic brain injury, resulting in cell death and memory loss. The study suggests that methamphetamine use can cause irreversible brain damage.
University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists have found that a basin-wide circulation pattern drives Atlantic hurricane activity. The study reveals that Atlantic hurricanes will be more sensitive to climate changes than storms in other ocean basins, with warmer oceans indicating ideal conditions for development. Understanding this relati...
Researchers block single gene NF-êB to reverse aging in mouse skin, demonstrating that aging is a result of an active genetic program. The study sets the stage for future genetic age-intervention therapies.
Researchers have made significant progress in identifying new biomarkers for epithelial ovarian cancer, which can aid in early detection and improve treatment outcomes. The study highlights the potential of these biomarkers as therapeutic and imaging targets.
Dr. Bridges' group successfully demonstrates marker genes can be efficiently inserted into heart muscle cells in large animals using a novel surgical procedure and specially designed hardware. The approach has the potential to develop new treatments for various heart muscle diseases causing heart failure, with preliminary success showi...
A recent study found that 318 of 321 benign-appearing adrenal masses were confirmed to be clinically insignificant. The study showed no malignant adrenal lesions, even among patients with other malignancies elsewhere.
Researchers discovered JAM-C plays a critical role in maintaining peripheral nerve integrity and function. The molecule was found to be defective in nerves from patients with specific disorders, suggesting potential causes and a platform for further research.
A recent study found racial discrepancies in breast cancer tumor gene profiles, suggesting inflammation plays a stronger role in development and progression in African-American women. African-American breast cancer patients tend to have a greater prevalence of an aggressive form of cancer less likely to respond to hormone therapy.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a new imaging technology called magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) that can provide images of affected muscles with greater clarity than traditional MRI. This technology measures tissue elasticity and can detect abnormal hardening of tissues, which is a hallmark of myofascial pain syndrome.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have found two young stars with gaps in their protoplanetary disks, suggesting infant planets cleared debris. The study provides new insights into solar system formation and history.
Researchers found that patients over 60 years old, experiencing morning stiffness and groin pain, are at higher risk of undergoing total hip replacement. The study also revealed that obesity may decrease the risk of THR after three years.
Researchers solved a longstanding problem of the Cold Dark Matter cosmology model by exposing a critical relationship between interstellar gas and dark matter in galaxy birth. The study showed that dense gas clouds in galaxies form massive stars, which drive 'sloshing' effects that kick dark matter out of the galaxy's center.
Researchers discovered that experimental drug endostatin may significantly reduce or eliminate abnormal blood vessel growth, a hallmark of advanced AMD. This finding gives hope to individuals at high risk for the disease, which affects central vision and can lead to total blindness.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have created novel biomimetic membranes that can efficiently transport water, making them ideal for desalination and wastewater purification. The membranes' high permeability and selectivity could also be useful for drug delivery applications.
Researchers found that joint inflammation persists in patients with antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis, despite the spirochetes being killed. Antibody titers declined to similar levels after 4-6 months of antibiotic therapy, regardless of treatment response.
Despite substantial progress against AIDS, the generalized HIV epidemic continues to rage on, driven by concurrent partnerships. Interventions such as abstinence and condom use have limited effectiveness in containing the spread of the disease, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach to prevention.
A recent study by Oregon Health & Science University finds that low-income families face three major barriers to healthcare: lack of insurance coverage, poor access to services, and unaffordable costs. Families with public health insurance often reported feeling unwelcome and having difficulty accessing care due to long travel distances.
A new study finds that cancer patients are willing and able to self-report symptoms using the Internet, providing key data in real time to healthcare providers. This can fill gaps in clinicians' knowledge and improve patient safety and quality of care.
A new study is expanding to include patients with severe strokes who cannot give informed consent, aiming to determine if early administration of magnesium sulfate improves patient outcomes. The trial has already enrolled over 250 patients and aims to answer a crucial question about the best approach to stroke treatment.
Research found a strong association between higher total blood cholesterol and increased ischaemic heart disease (IHD) mortality in middle and old age. However, the relationship between cholesterol and stroke mortality was not independently linked, with complex results depending on age and blood pressure levels.
The marsh frog outcompetes indigenous species due to its faster growth rate, longer lifespan, and higher fertility. This displacement process threatens the extinction of native water frog species.
A study found a long-term positive impact on physical functioning in patients with osteoarthritis who underwent hip replacement, but no significant improvement in vitality or mental health. Patients with more severe OA showed the most improvement in physical functioning.
Researchers at Rhode Island Hospital have made significant advancements in diagnosing adrenal masses, treating kidney tumors, and using microwave technology to combat lung cancer. The vast majority of incidentally found adrenal masses are benign, while a minimally invasive technique successfully treats kidney tumors, and microwave ther...
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered a new type of programmed cell death called entosis, where cells bore into their neighbors and died. This process, known as entosis, was found to be more common in cancerous cells than previously thought, and its role in tumor progression is still unclear.
A study of over 3,000 adults found that meniscal damage is often present in knees with osteoarthritis, but not directly responsible for pain. The researchers suggest that treating OA as a whole-joint disorder may help clarify the relationship between meniscal damage and knee symptoms.
The University of Arizona's Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research will receive a $9M donation from Agnese N. Haury to build a new archive for its vast collection of over two million tree-ring samples, providing access to data on climate change and environmental issues. The lab has been instrumental in unlocking mysteries in archaeology, eco...
A pre-school program has been shown to improve executive functions, such as resisting distraction and focusing attention, in children from low-income families. The program, Tools of the Mind, was found to be effective in closing the achievement gap between children from poor families and those from wealthier homes.
A University of Pennsylvania study reveals chipmunks and shrews are major carriers of Lyme disease, not just mice. The research challenges the widely-held belief that mice are the primary animal reservoir for Lyme disease.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that coral reefs in sites with varying seasonal temperatures are more likely to survive rising ocean temperatures. This 'tough love' approach allows corals to adapt to environmental variation, increasing their chances of survival.
Researchers successfully produced stem cells from cloned monkey embryos using the non-invasive Oosight microscope, a crucial step towards developing medical therapies. The innovative technology allows for clear visualization and removal of genetic material, leading to a 100% success rate in therapeutic cloning.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have reversed the effects of aging on the skin of mice by blocking the action of a single critical protein, NF-kappa-B. The study's findings suggest that genetic changes contributing to aging can be reversed even late in life.
A new minimally invasive procedure using ultrasound-guided percutaneous therapy significantly reduces pain and restores mobility in patients with calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff. The procedure, which takes about an hour to perform, has been shown to provide long-lasting relief from symptoms.
Researchers tracked autistic children over three years, revealing no uniform pattern of development. Children showed positive gains in social interactions, forming friendships and reducing unusual behaviors.
A new study found that hypertension significantly reduces cerebral blood flow in adults with Alzheimer's disease, increasing its vulnerability to the effects of the disease. Good vascular health is crucial for brain health, and detecting and treating hypertension can help prevent or slow cognitive decline.
The overuse of CT scans in the US may result in a future public health problem, with an estimated 1.5-2% of cancers potentially caused by radiation from CT scans. Columbia researchers suggest reducing CT-related radiation dose, replacing scans with non-radiation options, and decreasing total scans to prevent unnecessary irradiation.
A study found that urban African-American women have difficulty meeting dietary goals that could help prevent cancer. The researchers linked high-risk dietary behaviors to younger age, depression, smoking, and birthplace in the District of Columbia.
A new radiological diagnostic tool called stereo mammography reduces false-positive findings by 49% and missed lesions by 40%. The technology cuts the number of women recalled for additional tests in half, eliminating anxiety for patients and their loved ones.
A study found that a specific polymorphism in the glucocorticoid receptor gene is associated with lung disease progression in cystic fibrosis. Patients with the BclI GG genotype showed more pronounced deterioration in lung function, suggesting they may benefit from inhaled steroids.
A new test can identify contaminated cardboard food containers that break phthalate safety rules. Researchers found significant exposure to diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) in some boxes, emphasizing the need for unrecycled materials.
Researchers mapped Bolivia's Salar de Uyuni to a resolution of a few centimeters, uncovering previously hidden features like hills, ridges, and valleys. These topographic features impact satellite-based ranging instruments' accuracy, revealing a correlation between subsurface density variations and surface gravity strength
African-American men face an observable disadvantage in prostate cancer survival due to genetic and behavioral differences. Research highlights the impact of cultural beliefs, such as fatalism and religiosity, on cancer detection and control, as well as the link between obesity and advanced-stage prostate cancer diagnosis.
A study of over 300 live kidney donors found that they had good kidney function and tended to suffer a lower incidence of high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart-related deaths compared to the general population. Donors reported high satisfaction rates and would strongly encourage others to become donors if needed.
A graduate student at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has made important findings on deep Earth interactions, suggesting a new mechanism for metal movement between the core and mantle. The research could have broad implications for geology and potentially lead to valuable deposits of gold and platinum.
Leslie Bernstein, a renowned researcher on hormone effects and physical activity on cancer risk, has been selected for the AACR-Prevent Cancer Foundation Award. Her work has vast implications on quality of life after cancer, challenging previous paradigms on breast cancer risk factors.
Researchers have developed a glucose-powered fuel cell that uses sunlight to convert glucose into hydrogen, producing several hundred millivolts. This innovative device has the potential to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels by utilizing biological resources such as food waste and managed high-energy crops.
A new study demonstrates that dogs can visually categorize complex color photographs and transfer their knowledge to new situations. The research, published online in Animal Cognition, used a computer-automated touch-screen system to eliminate potential human influence.